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Chicago Welcomes 56.8 Million Tourists in 2025, Generating a Record – Breaking $21.5 Billion in Spending
City defied national headwinds with modest growth across major indicators
CHICAGO (June 25, 2026) — Chicago welcomed 56.8 million visitors in 2025, generating a record-setting $21.5 billion in visitor spending and supporting 135,360 local jobs across the region, according to data released today by Choose Chicago, the city’s official destination marketing organization.
The city welcomed nearly 1.5 million more visitors than in 2024, reflecting continued growth despite economic uncertainty and headwinds facing the travel industry globally.
The annual impact figures compiled using data and analysis from STR, DK Shifflet, Tourism Economics, and MMGY Travel Intelligence were released during Choose Chicago’s Mid-Year Outlook meeting at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk.
“Chicago continues to prove itself as an unmatched global city and a one-of-a-kind tourism destination,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “In 2025, nearly 57 million visitors from around the globe learned what we already know: Chicago offers something for everyone. From its world-class restaurants and vibrant retail corridors to its cultural attractions and museums, our beautiful city leaves travelers with lifelong memories, all while powering Illinois’ robust tourism economy.”
“Chicago’s continued growth as a global destination reflects the energy, diversity, and world-class experiences that define our city,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “Tourism is a powerful economic engine that supports thousands of jobs, drives investment in our neighborhoods, and strengthens communities across Chicago. From our vibrant arts and culture scene to our renowned restaurants and welcoming hospitality, visitors from around the world continue to discover what Chicagoans have always known: There is no place quite like Chicago.”
“Chicago is having a moment, and our incredible momentum is unmistakable,” said Choose Chicago President & CEO Kristen Reynolds. “Despite a challenging travel environment, Chicago is showing its strength as a world-class destination as visitors continue to choose our city in growing numbers, setting new spending records and supporting more than 135,000 local jobs across all 77 neighborhoods. Tourism is a powerful economic engine for Chicago, and these results demonstrate the resilience of a city that is never done and never outdone.”
As part of its enhanced efforts to drive international visitation, Choose Chicago today announced a new partnership with Brand USA through their American Originals series. Under the new initiative, Brand USA will create a mid-length video episode, social media content, paid digital content, and photography chronicling the city’s unique history as the birthplace of the skyscraper. The Chicago episode will be featured on Brand USA’s new website AmericaTheBeautiful.com, which integrates AI to help international travelers plan trips to the United States based on their interests and provides up-to-date information on USA travel requirements.
“Chicago has one of the greatest origin stories in the world, punctuated by the birth of the skyscraper. That spirit of bold reinvention and world-class hospitality are a major draw for international travelers who bring significant spending, supporting local jobs and neighborhood businesses,” said Fred Dixon, President and CEO of Brand USA. “We thank Choose Chicago for their partnership in our new content series American Originals, where you will meet the real people behind the stories and traditions that made Chicago’s architecture famous, inspiring global audiences to go beyond what traditional marketing campaigns could offer, creating new reasons to visit.”
Additional findings from the 2025 tourism report show that Chicago continues to attract highly satisfied visitors, with 92% of leisure travelers indicating they plan to return within three years. Explore more of Choose Chicago’s 2025 tourism data.
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About Choose Chicago
Choose Chicago is the official destination marketing organization responsible for promoting Chicago as a global tourism and meetings destination—the city that’s Never Done and Never Outdone. Choose Chicago leverages the city’s unmatched assets to enrich the community by attracting meetings, events, and more than 55 million annual visitors, generating over $20 billion in economic impact. Follow and tag #NeverOutdoneChi on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and X/Twitter. For more information, visit choosechicago.com.
